Haslam-O-Meter

Tracking the promises of Bill Haslam

Will "develop an online jobs clearinghouse that will pull together existing market data in a user-friendly way so that every jobseeker, employer, community official, higher education institution, and economic development organization has access to timely and accurate information on the current and future economic landscape of Tennessee."

Will "perform regional workforce development assessments so that we can quickly begin to help employers, postsecondary institutions and local officials develop strategies for helping businesses grow and local workers receive the training necessary to fill new jobs."

The state will "use TVAAS to find where teacher performance is working and where it's not ... If we're going to move forward we're going to have to use data to see what's working and what's not in schools."

Will develop a statewide leadership academy with a "focus on improving the leadership development pipeline so that the best candidates are selected, the best training is provided and the leadership needs of local school districts are met by a crop of highly effective principals.”

Will develop "mobile training units at appropriate community colleges and technology centers that can go on-site to deliver the advanced training employers are requiring of their workers."

"Will address (the methamphetamine crisis) head-on and work toward issues at the state level as well as support for local law enforcement officials engaged in this important battle.”

Will develop "a comprehensive marketing strategy for our state that can be used to maximize interest from visitors and new investment alike . . . At the regional level, I will utilize the jobs base camps I will create and ensure that every region incorporates a plan for tourism into their unique economic development strategies. Moreover, the state must continue its efforts to maximize the reach of tourists' investments in Tennessee by driving them to locations throughout the state."

"The person in this (leadership) position will serve as the point person on rural issues and will be one of my most important appointments."

"... if the state wants to get serious about reducing crime and keeping communities safe then we must increase the penalties for committing violent crimes."

Will “Restructure the Department of Economic and Community Development by decentralizing the home office and pushing leadership and support to the regional level.”

Will launch "Small Business Works" with the goal of "working with small business owners to create the best possible environment for starting or growing a business while enhancing the state's efforts to provide useful, timely information and guidance to anyone seeking to start a business in Tennessee."

"I know it's not going to be easy when the next governor takes office, but taxes are job killers. The last thing we should do is raise taxes on a population that is already struggling and a small business community that has been forced to cut back. ... Tennessee already has the highest combined state and average local sales tax rate in the nation and I will not allow it to get any higher."

"As governor, I will enforce the laws on the books and will cut off the supply of jobs going to illegal immigrants by ensuring that only legal residents are being hired by Tennessee employers.".

Will "pass meaningful tort reform to lower healthcare costs and allow doctors to stop practicing defensive medicine."

Will "develop a dashboard for (the) administration's policy goals based around (the) overall vision of making Tennessee the No. 1 state in the Southeast for high quality jobs and designed to measure the state's progress and keep government accountable. ... I plan to issue an annual report card that will measure state government's progress, but in order for that to be meaningful there needs to be consensus around the direction we set for the state."

Will "coordinate the efforts of the Area Agencies on Aging and Disability and private sector nonprofits, faith-based and community groups to make sure the right information and resources are available to those who need it. He will create this network to ensure they are talking, sharing information and providing the right level of support. Mayor Haslam will also use this effort to draw attention to this important issue and to educate the public on the challenges facing seniors and those who care for them."

"My top priority as governor will be making Tennessee the No. 1 state in the Southeast for high quality jobs."

"We should review in detail the factors driving the costs of incarceration and look for smarter, more cost-effective systems and procedures."

"I believe state funding for Planned Parenthood should be eliminated."

"As governor, I will revisit the goals of the (HOPE Scholarship) program and carefully evaluate its effectiveness at meeting those goals. I will work to enhance the impact of all lottery scholarship programs."